Zoological Society. 49 



their skeleton. The seat of these tumours is chiefly the neural 

 or haemal processes, more rarely the interneurals and inter- 

 hsemals. In the typical specimen of Corvina Moorii a date-like 

 osseous tumour is attached to the spine of the second dorsal fin ; 

 and a second specimen which we have seen, from the same loca- 

 lity, has, singularly enough, a perfectly similar tumour on the 

 same spine. 



We have formerly (Fishes, ii. p. 296) expressed our opinion 

 that these peculiar tumours are anomalous deposits of osseous 

 matter, and that species founded on such a character (like Cor- 

 vina clavigera, Cuv. & Val.), are extremely doubtful. Indeed 

 we have now not the least doubt that this Corvina clavigera is 

 identical with C. nigrita, of which we have seen an example, 

 likewise belonging to the Liverpool Museum, which has the 

 ventral and anal spines excessively thickened, in consequence of 

 a similarly abnormal deposition of bony substance. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Jan. 10, 18G5. — Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., in the Chair. 



On the Anatomy and Habits of the Water-Ousel (Cinclus 

 aquaticus). By Edwards Crisp, M.D., F.Z.S, etc. 



I have for a long time been occupied in preparing a work on the 

 British Birds, more especially in reference to their structure, in con- 

 nexion with their habits, the nature of their food, &c. ; and there is 

 no bird that has puzzled me so much as the Water-Ousel, and it is 

 on this account that I bring the subject before the Society, hoping 

 that I may obtain some information from the members present. I 

 need not go very minutely into the history of this bird ; but it will, I 

 think, be interesting to compare some parts of its anatomy with those 

 of the other Merulidce. The object of my paper will be to endeavour, 

 first, to ascertain by what means this bird, so unlike all aquatic 

 birds in form, is enabled to dive and remain some time under water 

 and capture its prey ; secondly, to inquire respecting the nature of 

 its food, and its supposed depredations on the ova and fry of fishes. 

 I may premise that I have shot several of these birds in Scotland for 

 the purpose of ascertaining the character of their food, and that I have 

 had many opportunities of observing their habits. The three speci- 

 mens on the table were sent to me recently (Nov. 30) by my friend 

 Mr. Grierson, of Thornbill, Dumfriesshire ; and I have dissected and 

 examined them, as I bad done on former occasions, in relation to the 

 two questions above referred to. As the evidence of one inquirer -in 

 reference to the habits of this or of any other bird is comparatively 

 valueless, let me quote a few authorities upon the subject. 



Ann. $ Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 3. Vol. xvi. 4 



